News

Celebrating 10 years with the Theatre, the leader of the largest award-winning not-for-profit regional theatre in Florida receives new title, signs contract for another 10 years

November 5, 2015 (Jupiter) – With a proven leader at its helm, the future is bright for the Maltz Jupiter Theatre.

The Theatre’s board of directors has promoted the Theatre’s producing artistic director, Andrew Kato, to Producing Artistic Director and Chief Executive. Celebrating his 10th anniversary with the Theatre, Kato has signed a contract for an additional 10 years.

“We’re so proud of the many accomplishments of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre over the past decade, and much of the Theatre’s success is due to a great staff, led by Andrew Kato,” said Milton Maltz, founder and chairman emeritus of the Theatre’s board of directors. “He is an accomplished leader who has helped the Theatre become the largest not-for-profit regional theatre in Florida, and he remains committed to the Theatre’s future.”

Under Kato’s leadership, the Theatre has produced over 60 productions and annual subscriptions have grown to over 7,626 (much higher than comparable regional theatres across the country). Attendance at the award-winning theatre has doubled, growing from 50,000 to more than 100,000 annual patrons.

During his tenure, the Theatre has continuously earned annual Carbonell Awards, South Florida’s highest honor of artistic excellence. The Theatre has achieved a fully-funded $10 million endowment, completed a $2.5 million expansion and renovation in 2013 and opened its popular Paul and Sandra Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts in 2007, now attended by over 600 students annually.

“With this promotion and 10-year contract, the future of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre is in very sound hands,” said Martin Cohen, chairman of the Theatre’s board of directors.

Following its most recent renovation, the 617-seat venue features 62 new luxurious premium seats and an adjacent private upstairs, The Green Room Club Level Lounge. Amenities include spacious 23” seats, a lounge with a private bar and restrooms, panoramic views of the stage and a private entrance and elevator.

The Theatre produces exceptional year-round entertainment featuring musicals, riveting dramas and comedies, as well as limited engagements (including nationally-recognized talent for one-night-only concerts and more), family programming and classes for all ages at its Conservatory. Under Kato’s direction, world-renowned directors, actors, musicians and choreographers are hired from Broadway and across the country.

Kato has led the Theatre to international recognition for new work premiered through its Emerging Artists Series in Musical Theater Playwriting, and the Theatre’s staff is proud of an earned-to-contributed ratio of 60 percent earned vs. 40 percent contributed (the national average is 50/50). With its own scenic and costume shops where everything is built for the Theatre’s stage, the Theatre boasts an annual budget of $6.8 million, of which $2.5 is donated.

Kato said he’s looking forward to his next decade at the Theatre, in which he will continue to guide its success.

“I am very grateful for this wonderful opportunity to continue leading the Maltz Jupiter Theatre through its next 10 years,” he said.

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre has proposed an expansion over the next five years that would improve production facilities and add educational opportunities for the not-for-profit regional theatre.

“The Theatre has achieved all of its goals and objectives by producing consistent quality productions, so now we are looking to the future,” Kato said. “The board and staff have created a strategic plan with very defined objectives that will continue to serve our community.”

About the Maltz Jupiter TheatreThe not-for-profit Maltz Jupiter Theatre has become one of Florida’s preeminent professional theatres, committed to production and education through its collaborations with local and national artists. Currently the state’s largest award-winning regional theatre, the Theatre draws nearly 100,000 people annually, serves a subscription base of more than 7,626 and has world-class classroom facilities in support of its Paul and Sandra Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts, which serves hundreds of youth and adults. The Theatre is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and has earned numerous Carbonell Awards, South Florida’s highest honor for artistic excellence, including the prestigious Bill Von Maurer Award for Theatrical Excellence. For more information about the Theatre’s upcoming shows and Conservatory, visit www.jupitertheatre.org or call the box office at (561) 575-2223.